As the need for undergraduate financial aid has grown steadily, so too has Penn's commitment to increasing access for students regardless of their means. An affordable education is more than a priority for Penn — it is an imperative that reflects the University's core values. Over the past decade alone, Penn's financial aid budget has grown by more than 150 percent, reaching $328 million in 2025-26.
The way Penn funds that commitment reveals both progress and opportunity. Endowed support now covers 27 percent of undergraduate financial aid — a remarkable increase from just 4.5 percent in the 1990s — but the remaining 73 percent continues to be drawn from Penn’s annual operating budget. In real terms, that means $239 million in financial aid is funded each year through resources that could otherwise advance Penn’s priorities in research, teaching, and other critical initiatives. Growing the endowment for undergraduate financial aid has never been more important, particularly as the broader landscape of higher education continues to evolve.
A Named Scholarship established today does more than open doors for future generations of Penn students — it strengthens the very foundation that makes those doors possible. Every endowed gift shifts more of the financial aid program onto a permanent, sustainable footing, reducing reliance on operating funds and ensuring Penn can honor its commitment to students today and for generations to come.
With every gift to the Undergraduate Named Scholarship Program or Penn First Plus, donors affirm their belief in access and opportunity. When students can come to Penn regardless of their ability to pay, we all benefit. When these scholars graduate, their impact ripples throughout their communities, making real and lasting improvements across the world.
The opportunities here are endless. You just have to look around, and you’ll find something for you.
Support a Future Leader
Learn more about all of the ways you can support a scholar through the Undergraduate Named Scholarships program.